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Library

This library contains research reports produced by the Building America program and other building science resources used to support this Solution Center. The materials cover both new construction and existing homes. Use the search box and/or the filters to explore hundreds of residential building resources. Access to some references not produced by Building America may require purchase from the publisher. Documents are listed alphabetically. While we continually update our database, links may have changed since posting. Please contact our webmaster if you find broken links.

Showing results 51 - 95 of 95

Install Window Shutters

Author(s)
Knowles III,
Miller,
Ruppert,
Lenfesty,
Haldeman
Organization(s)
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Publication Date
This document covers how broken windows can allow wind and rain inside the house and even lead to roof failure.

Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather!

Author(s)
National Center for Environmental Health
Organization(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Publication Date
Web page describing how to identify heat-related illness and how to prevent it.

Keeping Homes and Cities Cool in Extreme Heat

Author(s)
Kyle Mittan
Organization(s)
University of Arizona
Publication Date
Article from University of Arizona on keeping homes cool during extreme heat, both personal and system changes.

Measured Impacts of Air Conditioner Condenser Shading

Author(s)
Sonne Jeffrey K,
Parker Danny S,
Barkaszi Stephen F
Organization(s)
Florida Solar Energy Center,
FSEC
Publication Date
Paper describing energy savings in space cooling from shading condenser units.

Natural Ventilation

Author(s)
Energy Saver
Organization(s)
DOE
Publication Date
DOE Energy Saver webpage providing a brief summary of natural ventilation for houses.

Passive Cooling

Author(s)
Cook Jeffrey,
Martin Marlo,
Chandra Subrato,
Yellott John,
Labs Kenneth,
Clark Gene
Organization(s)
MIT Press,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
MIT
Publication Date
Book describing passive cooling techniques from a technical and academic perspective.

Passive Design

Author(s)
Green Home Technology Center
Organization(s)
Ohio State University Extension
Publication Date
Website providing guidance on passive heating, cooling, and lighting methods.

Passive Solar Design

Author(s)
Williams College
Organization(s)
Williams College
Publication Date
Article from Williams College on the key elements of passive solar design for homes.

Peak power and cooling of shade trees

Author(s)
Akbari Hashem,
Bretz Sarah E,
Kurn Dan M,
Hanford James W
Organization(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory,
LBNL
Publication Date
Paper describing a study on savings in peak power and cooling energy for homes with shade trees.

Permeable Pavement

Author(s)
City of Mercer Island
Organization(s)
City of Mercer Island
Publication Date
Brochure describing what permeable pavement is, where to install it, and how to maintain it.

Plant for the Sun!

Author(s)
Forestry and Natural Resources
Organization(s)
Purdue University
Publication Date
Blog article describing considerations for how to use trees for shading to reduce cooling energy demand.

Preparedness Webinars

Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Publication Date
Database describing FEMA preparedness webinars including natural hazard preparedness.

Residential Heating and Cooling Loads Component Analysis

Author(s)
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Organization(s)
LBNL
Publication Date
Report describing a study using parametric computer simulations of 112 single-family and 63 multi-family residential building prototypes to quantify the contributions of building components such as roofs, walls, windows, infiltration, outside air, lighting, equipment, and people to the aggregate...

SelecTree: A Tree Selection Guide

Author(s)
Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute
Organization(s)
UFEI,
California Polytechnic State University,
Cal Poly
Publication Date
Website tool that can search for trees by name or characteristics and retrieve data describing tree attributes including site preferences and general characteristics and considerations.

Smart Guide Passive Cooling

Author(s)
Smarter Homes NZ
Organization(s)
Smarter Homes NZ
Publication Date
Article from Smarter Homes NZ on home building techniques that incorporate passive cooling.

Suggested Emergency Food Supplies

Author(s)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Organization(s)
USDHS
Publication Date
Article describing suggested food supplies, sanitation, safety, and cooking for during and after an emergency.

Sustainable Development Guidelines

Author(s)
Gray
Organization(s)
Town of Clarkdale
Publication Date
Presentation on sustainable development including water conservation, passive solar, daylighting, natural ventilation, and land use.

Sustainable Living Series

Author(s)
Office of Sustainability
Organization(s)
Washington University St. Louis
Publication Date
Presentation by the Washington University Office of Sustainability on saving energy.

The Importance of Windows in Hot Climates

Author(s)
Kohta Ueno
Organization(s)
Green Building Advisor
Publication Date
Article from Green Building Advisor on the importance of window selection in hot climates, with an emphasis on window glazing.

Thermal Mass Solutions

Author(s)
Habian Bob
Organization(s)
National Council of Structural Engineers Association NCSEA
Publication Date
Article detailing a case study in which thermal mass was used as part of an overall Net Zero solution for a university building.

Tips & Resources - Evaporative Coolers

Author(s)
City of Fresno
Organization(s)
City of Fresno
Publication Date
Webpage from the City of Fresno's Water Conservation Program describing household water conservation recommendations, including tips for maintaining evaporative coolers.

Urban Forestry Manual

Author(s)
U.S. Forest Service
Organization(s)
USDA Forest Service
Publication Date
Manual describing scientific, technical, and practical information needed to work with communities on urban forestry, including a section on trees and construction.

Using Cool Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands

Author(s)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Organization(s)
EPA
Publication Date
Webpage describing the use of cool roofs to reduce heat islands and and benefits and costs.

Vented and Sealed Attics in Hot Climates

Author(s)
Rudd Armin,
Lstiburek Joseph
Organization(s)
Building Science Corporation,
BSC
Publication Date
Building science report describing issues with vented attics in hot-humid climates and how sealed attic construction may be a solution.

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness

Author(s)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Organization(s)
CDC
Publication Date
Fact sheet describing how to identify heat-related illness and what actions to take.

Weather Related Fatality and Injury Statistics

Author(s)
National Weather Service
Organization(s)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Publication Date
Web page providing statistics on weather related fatalities and injuries.

Whole House Fans

Author(s)
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Organization(s)
PG&E
Publication Date
Technical fact sheet describing proper operation, sizing, and installation of whole-house fans.

Wind and Trees: Air Infiltration Effects on Energy Use in Housing

Author(s)
Mattingly G.E.,
Peters E.F.
Organization(s)
Princeton University
Publication Date
Paper describing wind influences on air infiltration related energy losses for residential housing and the shielding effects of fences, adjacent structures, and vegetation.